Bargains on ebay?

[Marco]

Hi Barry,

I agree - I think the black idea would work, although I'm quite partial to a bit of selective bling on an otherwise fairly 'sober' looking aesthetic, so I'd keep the brass finish of the counterweight balance on the Schick arm.

I'm also totally with you on the Lumière cartridge. It's one of my all-time favourite classic cartridges, and I will own one at some point.

It's interesting you say that it's based on the SPU; I didn't know that. However it certainly has the gloriously 'organic' sonic presentation, with beautifully rich, 'big-boned' (but musically realistic) tonality, I (and I think you) love in phono cartridges - the complete antithesis of the tonally bleached modern monstrosities foisted upon us nowadays by so-called 'hi-end' cartridge manufacturers!

Incidentally, this week I will (at last) get around to fitting the Decca, after a long list of unforeseen delays, the latest being a pretty bad dose of the flu, which I'm currently recovering from - so watch this space for my thoughts!

Marco.

P.S Did you do the venison steaks for your friends visiting? Sorry I didn't get a chance to send you the recipe, but there were simply too many things going on.

I notice you've quaffed the Amarone, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the wine thread!

[Techno Commander]

I must admit, that SP10 set up does look stunning.

I also (as you have probably guessed) have a thing for Pink Triangles. Is kind of like the inverse to the "thing" I dont have for Linns.

I would rather have a cheap PT than an expensive Linn.

[Marco]

Hi Andy,

Oh yes, in that respect I totally agree. Arthur K is da man!

He's getting 'serious' about modifiying Techies now, so watch this space for some very interesting future developments in that area

Marco.

[Techno Commander]

Pink Technics??

[Marco]

Now that would be something!

Marco.

[Marco]

Another cartridge that I think Barry would like - the legendary Pierre Clement:






When you look at the quirky designs of classics like the Lumière and Pierre Clement, aren't many modern cartridges so bloody boring looking in comparison?

Unfortunately, the same can often be said of their sound.....


Anyway, another 'looker' in the T/T stakes for me, I give you the 'eye-wateringly gorgeous' () Thorens TD 550 (unfortunately though it's not 'vintage'):






Marco.

[Techno Commander]

aren't many modern cartridges so bloody boring looking in comparison?

Marco.

I have always felt the Sumiko BPS to be rather good looking. Especially so considering its relatively low cost.

[DSJR]

I really admire that Techie SP10/Schick combination and the oblong simplicity of the cartridge fitted is gorgeous to my eyes. less is more IMO where turntables are concerned and a 401 thus plinthed and armed would float me boat as well...

[Spectral Morn]

Not cheap, but eye wateringly gorgeous.
PT Anniversary & SME V

Be interesting to see what his reserve is.

With no inner for the box (If he kept the box why not the inner ? ...what a plank imho) I would not touch it with a barge pole. Even properly packed Anniversaries, in the day, arrived with smashed top plates. Its essentially a mirror.

Nice deck though, but he wants too much imho.

How old is the SME 5 ? If it came with the deck then that makes it about 18 years old give or take.


Regards D S D L

[Barry]

Hi Barry,

I agree - I think the black idea would work, although I'm quite partial to a bit of selective bling on an otherwise fairly 'sober' looking aesthetic, so I'd keep the brass finish of the counterweight balance on the Schick arm.

I'm also totally with you on the Lumière cartridge. It's one of my all-time favourite classic cartridges, and I will own one at some point.

It's interesting you say that it's based on the SPU; I didn't know that. However it certainly has the gloriously 'organic' sonic presentation, with beautifully rich, 'big-boned' (but musically realistic) tonality, I (and I think you) love in phono cartridges - the complete antithesis of the tonally bleached modern monstrosities foisted upon us nowadays by so-called 'hi-end' cartridge manufacturers!

Incidentally, this week I will (at last) get around to fitting the Decca, after a long list of unforeseen delays, the latest being a pretty bad dose of the flu, which I'm currently recovering from - so watch this space for my thoughts!

Marco.

P.S Did you do the venison steaks for your friends visiting? Sorry I didn't get a chance to send you the recipe, but there were simply too many things going on.

I notice you've quaffed the Amarone, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the wine thread!

Hi Marco,

When did you hear the Lumière cartridge? Do you know someone who has/had one? The only person I know of who has one (well two actually) is AoS member Stefano ('Two Good Ears'). In fact it was through reading his posts on the Better Audio Club forum, that I first became aware of their existance.

My speculation that the Lumière cartridge (a facsimile of the Neumann NV55 (?) moving coil cartridge) is based on the Ortofon SPU, has no basis other than the fact that Ortofon patented the moving coil principle and that the Neumann design was close contemporary, and so would have had to pay Ortofon royalty. As far as I know, unlike the original SPU, the Neumann used an off-board SUT. There is a lot of hype talked about Neumann's know-how when it came to designing transformers. Again as far as I know, many of the Neumann transformers were made by other German companies, though they may have been to Neumann's design. Perhaps Stefano can clarify matters here.

Sorry to hear you have been down with the flu, but pleased you're recovering. Hope you enjoy the Decca. I suspect that like me you will find it presents a different picture to any other cartridge you have heard: astonishing attack, speed and dynamics and sheer, almost palpable, sense of presence, but tonally neutral it ain't.

Yes, we did polish off the Amarone with venison steak. Will post my thoughts shortly. In fact I enjoyed it so much I will probably buy another bottle. All I have to do is find an excuse to celebrate: how about on reading your report of the Decca? That would be a good enough excuse!

Regards